In an Olympic-esque moment that was neither on a world scale nor in a championship, not buzzer-beater or a season-changer, nevertheless the student body rushed the court, much to the chagrin of the athletic director and celebrated like a state title was won. It was the game La Salle ended Neumann-Gorretti’s 73-game undefeated streak in the Catholic League.

Amar Stukes was the man of the day, scoring a game-high 26 points and leading La Salle back from a 10-point halftime deficit to stun the visiting Saints. A half-time speech from coach Joe Dempsey was taken as more than just “a coach speech,” and enacted upon.

“Our team had jitters, we were nervous before the game,” Stukes said. “I played against those kids before, so I just went out with confidence, and in the second half we were stunned that we were still in the game.”

Advertisement

With 11 of his team’s 22 points in the fourth quarter, his team pulled out a 65-62 win over Neumann-Goretti and in the midst of court-rushing frenzy by the student body, that familiar quote from 1980’s “Miracle on Ice” rang out over the loudspeakers.

Despite his own heroics, Stukes gives all the credit to his teammates.

Stukes is the kind of player that can do anything he wants at the basket; he can score any which way he likes. He is the sixth player to reach the 1,000-point club at La Salle HS. In his senior season, Stukes scored 450 points, dished 153 assists and had a 2.6 assist to turnover ratio, which in the NCAA would put him in the top 40.

His skill as a facilitator, he says, is what he truly enjoys. Rather than “just getting a layup,” he is eager to get players involved, which he said will loosen the defense, make the shots come easier, he won’t get as banged up, and for his teams, “we can all win,” he said.

“Amar would rather win games and be part of a cog,” Dempsey said. “He can rise up and carry a team, but he’d rather get players involved — he doesn’t pound his chest, he just gets it.”

In the fall, the Mt. Airy-native will begin his college basketball career at La Salle University where player, Tyreek Duren, acts as an inspiration for Stukes in both playing ability and demeanor.

“He’s a pass-first player, kind of like how I am,” Stukes said. “I love the way he plays — mellow, cool — and even when he makes a big play, his face never changes.”

“He’s a great player to watch.”

Stukes’ La Salle College High School coach, Joe Dempsey, brought his team on yearly trips to La Salle University. This season they attended the La Salle-Rutgers game when Dempsey mentioned to Stukes how much he appreciated Duren’s game. When Stukes cited this player, Dempsey laughed at how various teachings stick with his players.

“I told them, ‘I love Tyreek (Duren), he makes a shot and then just drops back on defense,’” Dempsey said. “And that’s Amar, that’s the way he approaches the game.”

Throughout his career, Stukes was so much of a facilitator that Dempsey had to tell him to take specific shots, ones that “only he could make.” However, this unselfishness is simply an extension of Stukes’ character, who is described as a “bright, smart kid, who plays the right way,” by his AAU coach, Martin Hoffner, and a teammate players “love playing with,” as said by Steve Smith at the Donofrio Tournament.

“He was the best teammate, a rockstar in school, likeable, humble, and realizes he’s been blessed with talent,” Dempsey said. “He looks you in the eye, shakes your hand, and respects the freshman who haven’t played a lick of basketball.”

In the fall at La Salle, Stukes will redshirt under “Coach G,” aka John Giannini. He will practice with the guard-heavy squad and continue his four years of eligibility into his fifth year of college. While he won’t be joining the team on the court in the season after La Salle’s impressive run in the NCAA tournament — their first appearance in 21 years, and their first Sweet Sixteen berth since 1955 — Stukes is excited to learn from the players who experienced that success firsthand.

“You can learn a lot from them just being in the locker room,” Stukes said. “I think redshirt is a good option, because I’m excited to play behind them, watch them and follow anything they can do to teach me.”

Playing Division 1 basketball is something that Stukes had never imagined for himself, however the work he puts in would dictate a completely different mentality. His father, Dhaamin Stukes, was a strict disciplinarian, a role model who pushed Amar to work hard in the gym since freshman year in high school, Stukes said.

“Amar’s family are of great character,” Dempsey said. “His mom is a rock, she wants her kids to be respectful and they were driven in a good way, not unhealthy at all, because the formula was successful and he’s made the most of talent.”

Before his senior season began, Stukes had the choice of 18 different college offers, but chose La Salle because he felt it was the best fit. And with his college career set — a five-year education that will include a master’s in a degree of his choosing — Stukes was able to play free of mind and without pressure. As the heart of the program, La Salle in 2012-2013 beat Neumann-Goretti, competed with St. Joe’s Prep, which Stukes put up a career high 33 points, and in Roman Catholic’s defeat of La Salle, their fans rushed the court.

And in the stacked District 12, which only takes one guaranteed team to the state level, La Salle’s five-loss season got them sixth place. And that’s what Dempsey cites as the painful thing about being in that district, because even in successful seasons the odds are stacked in favor of the powerhouse teams. And despite watching from the sidelines next season, Stukes will be ready to play when his opportunity comes.

“I’m just going to practice like it’s a game situation every day,” Stukes said. “The con of redshirting is that you don’t get to play competitively, but I’m not going to lose my competitive edge.”